Same problem with the ones in the Ohio, don't get very big. There must be a link to the waters they live in and the short life span. I'm not saying not to eat them, they might be just fine. The joint state Ohio River walleye and sauger study of recent found that the fish were seemingly healthy but would not live more than a few years??? The thought was that the build up of toxins in the fish's body would prematurely end it's life. There used to be a link to this study on the KY fish and wildlife website, may still be there.